Handbook of Teees of the Nortiiekn States and Canada. 105 



The Balsam Poplar sometimes attains in the 

 forest a lieiglil uf lUU ft. and a trunk diameter 

 of or U ft. When isolated from other trees 

 it develops a rather narrow irregular pyra- 

 midal open top of few large branches, and its 

 jiarti-colored leave-, as their dark green upper 

 surfaces and light under surfaces show suc- 

 cessively as niuxed liy the wind, make it a 

 handsome object. It is distinctly a northern 

 tree, thriving and attaining its largest size 

 along the banks of the streams which are tribu- 

 tary to the ilackcnzie River in a climate too 

 se\"eve for the existence of most other trees. 

 In those cold regions this is the largest and 

 most characteristic tree. It is confined mainly 

 to alluvial bottom-lands and borders of 

 s\vam[)s. and in our northern states, where it 

 finds its southernmost limit of distribution, 

 is by no means as large a tree as it is to the 

 northward. 



Its wood is soft and light, a cubic foot when 

 absolutely dry \\'eighing 22.65 lbs., and in the 

 region of the Creat Lakes and northern ]\[iclii- 

 gan is used for paper piulp, and in the maiui- 

 fact\ire of boxes, pails, etc.i 



[jiarrs ."1-6 in. long, ovate, rounded or lirondly 

 rimcate at base with crenatc-scrrato sli;;litl,v 

 thickened margin, acute or acuminate at apex, 

 darlv glabrous green above, ranch paler and con- 

 spicuously rcticulatcd-veinGd and sometimes rust.\' 

 lir'ncath : petioles long, terete: winter ' iiuds large, 

 taper-pointed and very resinous. Flnirrr.^ (in 

 .Vpril ) ; scales of aments scarious. l)fovvn. Incine- 

 ate Inhed : stamens 2tl-.':o ; ii\'ary e\-oid, sliuhlly. 

 L'-kit)iMl and with 2 large dilated stigmas. Fruit 

 I ripe in May) witli o\nid olijeng 2-\-al\'ed slcua- 



[ledireled capSUlcS ; cailSUieS alteUt ti iU. loUg. 





